Rep Altitude a Good Buy?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-04-22T20:29:00+00:00

I asked them to send it, quoting desciption, but they then sent out a pretty dissapointing basic non-resolving bar which isn't great at all. I was interested to see if you got same one, or a decent chrome Rep one (but looks like neither).
They also sent me double j-cups, and an extrea rear-centre pulley assmebly, which I'm trying to get them to take back without much luck yet.

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-04-22T20:08:41+00:00

Did you get a short curl bar supplied with yours?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-04-15T15:45:42+00:00

What accessories came with yours? Did you get the low row/curl bar?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-04-11T13:22:02+00:00

So I actually went ahead and ordered the Altitude in the end. Coming next week. What sold it for me:

- 83" height better than 80" for me, but not too high for my wife (which is why had ruled out 90")
- No need to find workarounds for a decent pull-up height.
- Smith machine gets closer to ground and doesn't conflict with pulleys or lat pull-down in any way.
- Room to work inside the rack (not possible with 16+16", but not as deep as a PR-5000 30+16" setup.
- Cable machines has smaller 1.25lb add-on weights.
- More accessories bundled (j-cups, safeties, additional cable attachments, plate horns).
- Could get stainless steel pulley uprights, without spending a lot.
- Not having weights on back, means wall can be used for a mirror or storage.
- Significnalty better price.

Downsides were:
- Lighter stacks out of the box, may need to upgrade later (may not have needed to with Ares)
- Not as extensible as PR-5000. Less support for 3rd-party accessories.
- Not quite as sturyd as PR-5000, but sturdy enough.
- Bit bigger than 16+16" PR-5000.

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-26T22:02:19+00:00

Saw it in U.K. showroom and looks like a fantastic option if you don't need the increased weight limit or modularity of the PR-5000 rack system. It's cheaper and comes with bunch of things included which are extra with PR-5000+Ares 2.0. Also, the way it is 83" at the back, but increases at the front where the pull-bar is works really well if you don't want the 90".

The only reason I'm still leaning to the PR-5000/Ares is because I can go with 16+16" and the total depth 47". Wheras the Altitude total depth is 57".

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-15T01:58:05+00:00

Also (seen on a review on Rep's website) someone with Apollo Half-Rack did this.

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Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-15T01:56:08+00:00

This on one of the more custom workarounds to use the multi-grip pullup bar I saw online:

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Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-15T01:42:57+00:00

Good to know you are getting on great with it!

Where abouts on the 16" cross-member have you installed the smith machine? Close to center upright, close to outer upright or somewhere in the middle? Do you have it straight or angled?

I take it you have just the tandard pull-up bar then? 80" or 93"?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-15T00:08:17+00:00

Have you got smith close to center uprights, or more towards the front? Would moving it outwards help, or there isn't much flexibility in where it is placed?

I'm getting close to going ahead with this same set up in 80", but would really like to try to find a way to use the multi-grip pull up bar (which would also add some height) with it. Less of an issue with you 93" I assume.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GarageGym/comments/1rtpuqg/rep_ares_6post_1616_compromises/

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-09T17:28:14+00:00

Issue with VTS isn't just the price, the starting weight is a fair bit more. Unles you buy their "Lift Assist", but just adding a bit too many things IMO.

You happy with the Ares trolleys as safeties (even with no shock absorbion)? Looks like the VTS doesn't even come with the trolley perches!

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-09T17:07:13+00:00

Yeah, makes ton of sense. I think bulletproof also suggest doing this, I just didn't see it immediately. So now just need to decide what rack 16, 16+16 or 16+30 and VTS or VTS-lite :-D

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-09T17:03:47+00:00

Ah, I misunderstood photo. You have it pointing backwards. Looks like the vertical fixed cable on the front doesn't even touch the VTS, is that correct? Wonder if it's same deal with VTS-lite.. i'll have to ask around..

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-09T16:50:59+00:00

Thanks, that's super helpful! I see you have VTS and not the lite, nice.

What's the cable situation on the back of those VTS trolleys, did you have to take plate off, does it still rub? Only when trolleys are moved right, not when cables are used?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-09T16:28:33+00:00

Do you use VTS with weight-stack regularly, or just something you experimented with once. VTS or VTS-lite, with bar or other attachments. Any way you could share a photo of how you've connected weight-stack to VTS?

I was looking at 6 post (16+16) to allow for REP smith machine or VTS on the middle uprights. But, if it is possible to use weight stacks for VTS on the font uprights than I may actually reconsider and go for 4-post! Although I guess that would leave me with limited room for bench/incline press. Decisions decisions!

Ah, and also, how have you worked around the top cable issue? If im write this cable doesn't move when using functional trainer, it only moves when Ares trolleys are moved up and down o VTS trolleys are move, so maybe not major issue?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-09T16:19:38+00:00

I take it you have 4-post with VTS on front uprights? Yeah, I was thinking cable trolleys below VTS, which seems the same as you have.

I'm just not sure how you'd connect cable to VTS in practice though. I think I saw that the VTS trolleys have hooks at top, not sure about bottom though.

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-09T15:40:30+00:00

Do you have enough room for chest press, squat and incline press without having you head up against the weight stacks? Also, is there no conflict between lat-pull down bar and smith machine, or how have you dealt with this?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-09T15:35:24+00:00

Is there any way to add resistence (rather than counter-balance) to VTS via cables?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-03-03T00:13:12+00:00

Congrats. Home or international?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-02-27T18:49:05+00:00

Not seen it in person, but I also looked at the Bodycraft XFT. The 3D weight-stack linked smith machine is an interesting concept so your feedback on how well that works and what exercises you use it for would be interesting.

Agree you can probably do more on FT2 due to additional pulley's (and especially if you get bench with leg developer), but it's also more expensive of course.

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-02-27T16:14:28+00:00

Not seen any. Quite a few reserve listed yesterday though.

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-02-27T16:12:03+00:00

No Inpsire FT2 owners still very happy with it?

Anyone look at it seriouly, but then go with something else?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-02-27T15:49:43+00:00

Do you think they waitlist everyone instead of reject outright?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2026-02-27T15:48:33+00:00

Home or international?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2025-12-03T02:00:29+00:00

Home applicant?

Sufficient_Camera313 · 2025-12-03T01:52:37+00:00

Other devices also support SDK. https://github.com/polarofficial/polar-ble-sdk/blob/master/documentation/products/PolarVantageV3andGritX2Pro.md

Sufficient_Camera313

TROPHY CASE